384 
its wonted display, most of the flower-buds having been blasted by 
the severe cold winds at the end of the previous winter. This proved 
to be the case in all the region visited. 
Being now in McDowell County, the Shortia locality was visited, 
under the guidance of Mr. George M. Hyams, the actual discoverer. 
In the secluded and well-protected station, well overshadowed by 
Rhododendron and Magnolias, was seen the little colony of the plant 
so long sought, and by many solong doubted*. Its companions were 
Mitchella repens, Asarum Virginicumand Galax aphylla. The space 
over which the plant extended was perhaps to feet by 30, and in all 
there may have been from 50 to 100 plants. As the plant multiplies by 
stolons, it is remarkable that its area should be thus restricted. And 
since in the struggle for life, of two allied plants the weaker “ must go,” 
Dr. Gray suggested the probability that its stronger cousin, the 
Galax, had crowded out the Shortia. And here indeed, in what may 
be the last foothold of the rarity, Ga/ax appeared to be actually 
doing so. Yet the plants, though comparatively few, were vigorous 
and healthy. Other stations may be looked for; but they must be 
hard to find. When we consider the long search which has been 
made for this plant, how all the mountain region of the Carolinas 
and Tennessee has been examined by the sharp optics of Buckley, 
Rugel, M. A. Curtis, Dr. Gray, Canby, Leroy and Ruger, the Vasey’s, 
elder and younger, Chickering and others, it is very certain that if 
there be other localities they must be “few and far between.” 
In June even the fruit of this vernal plant had mainly gone by; 
but Dr. Gray secured a capsule or two with some seeds.+ 
At the Shortia station Azalea arborescens was observed in bloom ; 
but much of it was afterwards seen throughout the mountains. At 
first sight it might be mistaken for 4. viscosa, which is also common 
in the region. But it blooms earlier, has a larger corolla with longer 
tube, and in the drying an excellent character manifests itself in the 
vanilla-like scent of the leaves.{ 
* We cannot always trust too confidently to tickets, which may be written 
subsequently and based on imperfect memory. Michaux’s Woodwardia Banisteriana 
—which from his description and citation of Plukenet’s figure must be Woodwardia 
Virginica—is ascribed by Michaux to “‘ montibus Carolinz,” where it has never since 
been found, while it is well known to abound in the swamps of the lower district. 
+ These confirm the character of the genus, having a close-fitting seed-coat, 
just as described in the original character, drawn from a single seed which was found _ 
in an open capsule of Michaux’s specimen, and was destroyed in the autopsy. A 
good figure of Shortia galacifolia with a detailed account of the genus and order, by 
the present writer, is contained in the seventh volume, 6th series, of the Annales 
des Sciences Naturelles. Since its publication a flower of S. uniflora (kindly sent 
by Dr. Maximowicx) has been examined. Its anthers show indications of being in- 
flexed on the apex of the filament in the manner of the American plant, leaving 
hardly anything but the shape of the leaf to distinguish the two species. A, G. 
$ It is open to question whether this shrub, which we have called Azalea or 
Rhododendron ar borescens, is actually Pursh’s species. He mentions its “large, 
abundant, rose-colored flowers,” but in ours these are white, or with only the slight 
roseate tinge which A. viscosa also has. And the habitat given is “ On rivulets 
: near the Blue Mountains, Pennsylvania ;” also in John Bartram’s garden. Bar- 
_ tram, however, may have brought it from the southern Alleghanies. And Pursh 
fe. ir 
was notoriously untrustworthy as to localities, appending his v. v, to plants from — 
